Tampa, FL – Thomas Ford McCoy wanted in
connection for the murder of a DeFuniak Springs man less than two weeks ago
was apprehended earlier today by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task
Force when he was shot by a Deputy after McCoy pulled a gun on task force
officers. The Marshals were conducting surveillance at a hotel in Tampa
after the Marshals in Pensacola contacted them this morning. The Marshals
Office in Pensacola received the information from Walton County Sheriff’s
Office after it was developed as part of the ongoing fugitive investigation
by multiple law enforcement agencies. According to the Marshals in Tampa,
McCoy, 42, exited the hotel and was spotted by them. The Marshals confronted
McCoy and ordered him to the ground. When McCoy started to comply he drew a
handgun on officers and was shot by a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Information has
been provided to the Marshals in Pensacola that McCoy was shot in the
shoulder and buttocks. It is unknown at this time if the gun he used was the
weapon being sought in the investigation and the severity of his injuries.
Marshals in Tampa report that he was transported to a local hospital.
According to the U.S. Marshals at the scene, the truck that McCoy had
escaped in was found there but it appeared that he had been spray painting
it to change its appearance.

Several days after the shooting, The U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task
Force had received a request from Walton County Sheriff’s Office to aid in
McCoy’s capture. They have been working with them and investigators as well
as investigators from many of the surrounding jurisdictions including from
the FDLE.

“This was an intense investigation that took a lot of man hours and
sacrifices on the part of all those involved.” “But it is that type of
cooperation that eventually leads to capturing these dangerous fugitives,”
said Dennis Williamson, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Florida.

The Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Pensacola is comprised of
officers from the U.S. Marshals Office, Florida Department of Law
Enforcement, Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Offices,
Milton, Pensacola, Ft. Walton Beach and Niceville Police Departments.